Page 15 of Coty

Harley goes quiet for a moment. She wobbles and steps toward Maci. I should have known she was drunk. She does this at nearly every club party. I can’t watch this quietly anymore.

I move to Maci’s side. “Harley, you need to calm down. You’ve had too much to drink. Go sleep it off and talk with your mother tomorrow.”

Harley’s head jerks back as though she had been slapped. She mean mugs me. Her face turns red and her hands ball into fists.

“And who are you to tell me anybody what they need to do?” Harley’s ready to fight.

“I’m a friend of your sister and this family.” I’m a couple of years older than Maci, but we’ve always been friends.

Harley’s laugh is hateful this time. “You’re the idiot who’s blaming a man who did nothing to you for the faults of another.”

Shocked gasps go around the room. Wow. That didn’t hurt at all. How did she know? I’ve kept most of my personal life quiet. Harley McLeod has become someone I don't recognize anymore. This new version is cruel and hateful. I don’t want to know this Harley.

“I get that you’re hurt, upset, and angry, but you don’t get to hurt other people.” Nanny swipes at her eyes. This is so hard for her.

“You get nothing. You’re too busy remembering Ariel. It’s Ariel this and Ariel that. You’ll always love her more than the rest of us!” Anyone near the bar can hear Harley’s screams in the other room.

Nanny gasps. She places a hand over her heart and squeezes. Maci and Lily rush to her side and wrap her in their arms. Nana cries out. Granddad rushes to her and does the same. Chez and Dobbs don’t know what to do. I’m too stunned to move. Harley cut us all deeply tonight.

The kitchen door bursts open with force and slams against the wall. It wouldn’t be surprising if it cracked. Mac storms into the room. Worley Bird, Jack, and Coty follow.

Mac wraps his hand around Harley’s upper arm. He shakes, trying to control his temper. “You’ve said and done enough. This ends now. You will never disrespect your mother and grandmother like this again. Our family will grieve forever. You can’t lose a child and heal from it. This family has lost three. You may not understand our pain, and pray you never truly know it, but you’re not going to lash out at us anymore.”

“You think I don’t know pain.” Harley tries to jerk her arm away.

“I know you’re hurting, but it doesn’t give you the right to hurt the rest of us.” Mac doesn’t let her go.

“So, you’re all against me.” Harley jerks harder.

“No one is against you, Harley. We love you and want to help you. Let us,” Mac pleads with her.

“I don’t need help!” she screams.

Mac takes a deep breath and glances over his shoulder. “Nick, is everything arranged?”

“Yes, Prez. It is.” Nick slipped into the kitchen without half of us noticing.

“Eve.” Mac waits for Maci to walk her mother to him. “I love you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He gently kisses her and reaches up to wipe her tears away with his thumb. “Don’t cry, love. It’ll work out.”

“What’s happening?” Harley fights to get free from her father.

“You need help. The drinking and erratic behavior have gotten way out of control. You’re destroying yourself. We’re not letting that happen. We’re getting you some help.” Mac moves Harley toward the side door without looking back. “Worley, Jack, Rodeo, let’s go.”

Harley leans over and locks eyes with Nick. “You did this? You found this place he’s taking me to?”

“I did,” Nick admits.

“I hate you! I thought you were my friend,” she screams.

Mac ushers Harley out the door before she says more hateful things.

“I am. It’s why I did it,” Nick whispers.

Jack gives Lily a long kiss goodbye. “I’ll call you as soon as I can. Kayla will stay with you.”

He raises an eyebrow at me. I nod. I’ll gladly stay with Lily until he returns. No one has said where they’re taking Harley. From the sound of it, it’s not a local rehab center. No matter what, I won’t leave Lily alone.

Coty pauses when he reaches my side. “Stay close to Lily and Jack’s family.” I nod to him, too. “And we’re talking when I get back. I’ll text you from the road, Sparky,” he whispers the last part next to my ear.

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